Liquid-cooled electronic control systems for vehicles

Abstract

An electronic control system (3) for a vehicle (1) includes first and second ECUs (5a, 5b) with first and second circuit carriers (6a, 7a, 6b, 7b), respectively, and first and second cooling channels (8a, 8b), respectively. The cooling channels (8a, 8b) each have a respective coolant inlet (9a, 9b) and a respective coolant outlet (10a, 10b). A hydraulic manifold (11) of said electronic control system (3) has a main inlet (12), first and second ECU outlets (14, 15), and first and second ECU inlets (16, 17) and distributes coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first and second ECUs (5a, 5b) and from the first and second ECUs (5a, 5b) to the main outlet (13).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic control system for a vehicle. The control system includes a first electronic control unit, a first ECU, comprising at least one first circuit carrier and a first cooling channel for a liquid coolant. The first cooling channel is arranged to cool the at least one first circuit carrier. Furthermore, the present invention is directed to an electronic vehicle guidance system comprising such an electronic control system, and to a vehicle comprising such an electronic vehicle guidance system. [Background technology]

[0002] As the functionality and computing power of electronic control systems for vehicles, for example for semi-autonomous driving functions, fully autonomous driving functions, and driver assistance systems, increases, the amount of heat dissipated by electronic components also increases. Therefore, it is known to utilize liquid cooling for these electronic components. However, liquid cooling generally involves an increase in assembly space. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved concept for a liquid-cooled electronic control system for vehicles with a small assembly space.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further examples and preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0005] The idea on which the invention is based is to provide at least two electronic control units, ECUs, each of which has at least one circuit carrier cooled by a respective cooling channel for liquid coolant, and a hydraulic manifold connected to the ECUs, whereby a centralized supply of liquid coolant to both ECUs is achieved between a main inlet of the hydraulic manifold and a main outlet of the hydraulic manifold.

[0006] According to an aspect of the invention, an electronic control system for a vehicle, in particular for an automobile, is provided. The control system includes a first electronic control unit, a first ECU, comprising at least one first circuit carrier. The first ECU comprises a first cooling channel for a liquid coolant, such as water or a water-based coolant, the first cooling channel arranged to cool the at least one first circuit carrier. The control system includes a second ECU comprising at least one second circuit carrier and a second cooling channel for the liquid coolant, the second cooling channel arranged to cool the at least one second circuit carrier. The first cooling channel comprises a coolant inlet for the liquid coolant and a coolant outlet for the liquid coolant, the second cooling channel also comprising a corresponding coolant inlet for the liquid coolant and a coolant outlet for the liquid coolant. The control system includes a hydraulic manifold comprising a main inlet for the liquid coolant and a main outlet for the liquid coolant. The hydraulic manifold comprises a first ECU outlet connected to the coolant inlet of the first ECU to distribute the coolant from the main inlet to the first ECU. The hydraulic manifold includes a second ECU outlet that connects to the coolant inlet of the second ECU to distribute coolant from the main inlet to the second ECU. The hydraulic manifold includes a first ECU inlet that connects to the coolant outlet of the first ECU to distribute coolant from the first ECU to the main outlet. The hydraulic manifold includes a second ECU inlet that connects to the coolant outlet of the second ECU to distribute coolant from the second ECU to the main outlet.

[0007] The circuit carrier may also be referred to as a circuit board, and in some embodiments may be embodied as a printed circuit board, or PCB.

[0008] A cooling channel may for example be understood as a hollow space in each ECU and extend between a respective coolant inlet and a respective coolant outlet. The cooling channel may be formed by one or more parts of the ECU, the one or more parts defining the boundaries of the respective cooling channel. For example, each cooling channel is arranged with respect to at least one circuit carrier of each ECU such that, when coolant is present in the cooling channel, in particular when it flows through the cooling channel, it absorbs heat dissipated by one or more electronic components of the at least one respective circuit carrier.

[0009] The first ECU outlet and the second ECU outlet, and the first ECU inlet and the second ECU inlet of the hydraulic manifold may be connected to the coolant inlet and the coolant outlet of the corresponding ECU, respectively, by one or more hoses, pipes, tubes, or other connections for guiding liquid coolant.

[0010] The main inlet of the hydraulic manifold may for example be connected to a supply source for supplying liquid coolant. The supply source is arranged separately in the vehicle from the electronic control system. Furthermore, the main outlet of the hydraulic manifold may for example be connected to a corresponding drain for the liquid coolant. The drain is also arranged outside the electronic control system of the vehicle. The vehicle may for example comprise means for recirculating, regulating or recooling the liquid coolant received by the drain from the main outlet and supplied again to the main inlet via the supply source. For this purpose, the vehicle may also comprise a conveying system for the liquid coolant. The conveying system may for example comprise one or more pumps for transporting the liquid coolant from the source to the main inlet via the cooling channel and back to the main outlet, the drain, etc.

[0011] Specifically for this reason, if all ECU inlets and all ECU outlets of the hydraulic manifold are properly connected to their respective ECUs, the main inlet and main outlet may be the only two connections of the electronic control system for supplying liquid coolant to the electronic control system and draining liquid coolant from the electronic control system, respectively.

[0012] Thus, by providing a hydraulic manifold according to the invention, the supply of liquid coolant to the electronic control system can be implemented in a very compact manner, which ultimately allows a reduction in the assembly space required for the electronic control system, in particular compared to alternative arrangements in which the first and second ECUs are supplied with liquid coolant separately and individually.

[0013] The flow of liquid coolant may be provided, for example, in two branches, for example parallel branches. The first branch may extend from a main inlet, via a first ECU outlet, a coolant inlet of the first ECU, a coolant outlet of the first ECU, to a first ECU inlet and a main outlet of the hydraulic manifold. The second branch may extend from a main inlet, via a second ECU outlet, a coolant inlet of the second ECU, a coolant outlet of the second ECU, a second ECU inlet of the hydraulic manifold, and a main outlet.

[0014] According to several embodiments of the electronic control system, the first ECU comprises a first housing, at least one of the first circuit carriers is disposed within the first housing, and the first cooling channel is at least partially disposed within the first housing.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the second ECU comprises a second housing, at least one of the second circuit carriers is disposed within the second housing, and the second cooling channel is at least partially disposed within the second housing.

[0016] According to some embodiments, the first housing and the second housing are stacked on top of each other.

[0017] In particular, the form factor or outer dimensions of the first housing are the same or nearly the same as the form factor or outer dimensions of the second housing. For example, the first housing and the second housing may be approximately rectangular parallelepiped shaped. That is, the first ECU and the second ECU may fit into each imaginary rectangular parallelepiped. Stacking the first housing and the second housing one on top of the other or on top of each other may be understood as the respective faces of the rectangular parallelepiped shapes facing each other.

[0018] In other words, stacking a first housing and a second housing on top of each other can be understood as the first housing essentially completely covering the second housing, or the second housing essentially completely covering the first housing, when viewed from a viewing direction along the stacking direction.

[0019] In this way, the overall structure of the first ECU and the second ECU requires less space, and therefore the overall assembly space of the electronic control system is further reduced.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the first ECU comprises at least two first support elements, the first support elements being attached to the outside of the first housing and extending along a stacking direction of the first housing and the second housing, the second ECU comprises at least two second support elements, the second support elements being attached to the outside of the second housing and extending along the stacking direction, and each of the at least two first support elements being fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements.

[0021] In other words, the first and second housings are connected or fastened to each other by the first and second support elements. The support elements can be designed, for example, as elongated columnar, cylindrical or prismatic, e.g. rectangular, elements. The support elements define the desired position and distance of the ECUs relative to each other when the first and second housings are fastened to each other. Thus, the first and second ECUs are rigidly connected to each other by the first and second support elements without the need for rack holders to receive the first and second housings, respectively.

[0022] In this way, the main housing of the electronic control system can be designed more simply since it does not require means for positioning the first and second ECU relative to each other, or the main housing may be omitted entirely.

[0023] According to several embodiments, each of the at least two first support elements is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements by at least one screw, threaded rod, or bolt extending through each of the first support element and the second support element along the stacking direction.

[0024] In this way, a reliable and robust connection between the ECUs is possible and no additional assembly space is required for other connection means, since the screws, threaded rods or bolts pass through the support elements.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the electronic control system comprises a main housing, wherein a first ECU and a second ECU, in particular a first housing and a second housing, are fastened in respective receptacles in the main housing.

[0026] In other words, the main housing has therein one or more receptacles for the first ECU and one or more receptacles for the second ECU. The receptacles can be used to fasten the first housing and the second housing to the main housing, respectively. The receptacles can be designed, for example, as slits, slide inserts, etc., so that the first housing and the second housing are inserted or slid into the main housing at the respective receptacles. In this way, the design of the first housing and the second housing of the first ECU and the second ECU, respectively, can be simplified.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the at least one first circuit carrier comprises two first circuit carriers arranged on either side of the first cooling channel. Alternatively or additionally, the at least one second circuit carrier comprises two second circuit carriers arranged on either side of the second cooling channel.

[0028] In other words, the first cooling channel is arranged to simultaneously cool two first circuit carriers and / or the second cooling channel is arranged to simultaneously cool two second circuit carriers. In this manner, the efficiency of cooling by the liquid coolant may be optimized. In particular, by using one cooling channel to cool at least two circuit carriers, the overall assembly space of the electronic control system is reduced.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the electronic control system includes at least one connector component electrically connecting at least one of the first circuit carriers to at least one of the second circuit carriers.

[0030] In this way, the first ECU and the second ECU can communicate with each other based on wired communication and / or the first ECU can supply electrical energy to the second ECU or the second ECU can supply electrical energy to the first ECU, which also contributes to reducing the assembly space of the overall electronic control system.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the hydraulic manifold comprises a solid body, an inlet chamber for coolant within the solid body, and an outlet chamber for coolant within the solid body. The main inlet, the first ECU outlet, and the second ECU outlet connect to the inlet chamber. The main outlet, the first ECU inlet, and the second ECU inlet connect to the outlet chamber.

[0032] The inlet and outlet chambers are isolated from each other, or in other words separate from each other, such that liquid coolant cannot flow directly from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber or from the outlet chamber to the inlet chamber.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the hydraulic manifold comprises regulating means arranged to regulate the liquid coolant flow rate from the main inlet to the first ECU outlet and / or the liquid coolant flow rate from the main inlet to the second ECU outlet and / or the liquid coolant flow rate from the first ECU inlet to the main outlet and / or the liquid coolant flow rate from the second ECU inlet to the main outlet, in other words the hydraulic manifold is designed as an adjustable hydraulic manifold.

[0034] The regulating means may for example comprise one or more respective adjustable valves for regulating the respective flow rates. In this way, the distribution of the liquid coolant between the first ECU and the second ECU can be regulated as desired. In particular, this achieves a certain uniform liquid coolant and therefore a uniform cooling of the first ECU and the second ECU.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an electronic vehicle guidance system for a vehicle comprising an electronic control system according to the present invention, wherein the first ECU and / or the second ECU are configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor system of the vehicle and to generate at least one control signal for performing lateral and / or longitudinal control of the vehicle and / or to generate at least one further control signal for providing an indication or warning to a driver of the vehicle.

[0036] An electronic vehicle guidance system may in particular be understood as an electronic system configured to guide a vehicle in a fully automated or fully autonomous manner without manual intervention or control by a driver or user of the vehicle. The vehicle automatically performs all necessary functions, such as steering, deceleration, and / or acceleration, as well as monitoring and recording road signs and corresponding reactions thereto. In particular, the electronic vehicle guidance system may perform a fully automated or fully autonomous driving mode according to level 5 of the SAE J3016 classification. The electronic vehicle guidance system may also be realized as an advanced driver assistance system, or ADAS, that assists the driver for partially automated or partially autonomous driving. In particular, the electronic vehicle guidance system may perform a partially automated or partially autonomous driving mode according to levels 1 to 4 of the SAE J3016 classification. In the following, SAE J3016 refers to the respective standards dated June 2018.

[0037] Thus, at least partially automatically guiding the vehicle may include guiding the vehicle according to a fully automated or fully autonomous driving mode in accordance with Level 5 of the SAE J3016 classification. Also, at least partially automatically guiding the vehicle may include guiding the vehicle according to a fully automated or fully autonomous driving mode in accordance with Levels 1 to 4 of the AEJ3016 classification.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising an electronic control system according to the invention or an electronic vehicle guidance system according to the invention.

[0039] In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a source and / or drain for liquid coolant and a delivery system, for example, to supply liquid coolant to and drain liquid coolant from the electronic control system.

[0040] Further features of the invention are evident from the claims, the drawings and the description of the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned above, as well as the features and combinations of features described below in the description of the drawings and / or shown in the drawings, may constitute the invention not only in the respective combinations described, but also in other combinations. In particular, embodiments and combinations of features that do not have all the features of the originally drawn claims may also be included in the invention. Moreover, embodiments and combinations of features that go beyond or deviate from the combinations of features described in the claims may also be included in the invention.

[0041] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific exemplary embodiments and respective schematic drawings. In the drawings, identical or functionally identical elements may be indicated with the same reference numerals. The description of identical or functionally identical elements is not necessarily repeated with respect to different drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle according to the invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a hydraulic manifold of a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the hydraulic manifold of FIG. 3 partially cut open for illustrative purposes. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of an ECU used in a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the ECU of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the ECU of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention in various views. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the electronic control system of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control system of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the invention in various views. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system according to the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the electronic control system of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 shows a cross-sectional view of the electronic control system of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] 1 shows a schematic top view of a motor vehicle 1 with an electronic vehicle guidance system 2. The electronic vehicle guidance system 2 comprises an electronic control system 3 according to the invention and an environmental sensor system 4, e.g. a camera, a radar system, a lidar system, a rain sensor, an ultrasonic sensor system, etc.

[0044] 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system 3 according to the present invention. For purposes of illustration, the main housing 29 of the electronic control system 3 is not shown.

[0045] The control system 3 comprises a first ECU 5a and a second ECU 5b, both of which are arranged in a main housing 29 in the illustrated example. However, in other example embodiments, the main housing 29 may be omitted. Example embodiments of the first ECU 5a are shown diagrammatically in a perspective view in Figure 5, in a cross-sectional view in Figure 6, and in an exploded view in Figure 7. The second ECU 5b may, for example, be realized similarly.

[0046] The first ECU 5a includes a first circuit carrier 6a and a first cooling channel 8a formed by each cooling component of the ECU 5a. The first cooling channel 8a is disposed relative to the first circuit carrier 6a such that heat dissipated by the electronic components of the first circuit carrier 6a can be absorbed by the liquid coolant in the first cooling channel 8a. This cools the first ECU.

[0047] Optionally, the first ECU 5a may further comprise a first circuit carrier 7a. In this example, the first circuit carriers 6a, 7a are arranged on either side of the cooling channel 8a, so that the cooling channel cools both the first circuit carriers 6a, 7a. Similarly, the second ECU 5b comprises at least one second circuit carrier 6b, 7b (not shown in FIG. 2) and a corresponding second cooling channel 8b (not shown in FIG. 2). Each of the first cooling channel 8a, the second cooling channel 8b comprises a respective coolant inlet 9a for liquid coolant and a respective coolant outlet 10a for liquid coolant.

[0048] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2, and shown separately in perspective and partially cut away for illustrative purposes in FIGS. 3 and 4, the electronic control system 3 includes a hydraulic manifold 11.

[0049] The hydraulic manifold 11 is provided with a main inlet 12 and a main outlet 13 for liquid coolant. The main inlet 12 may, for example, be connected to a source (not shown) of the coolant circuit of the vehicle 1 and the main outlet 13 may be connected to a drain of the coolant circuit of the vehicle 1.

[0050] The hydraulic manifold 11 comprises a first ECU outlet 14, which is connected to the coolant inlet 9a of the first ECU to distribute the coolant from the main inlet 12 to the first ECU 5a. The hydraulic manifold 11 also comprises a second ECU outlet 15, which is connected to an inlet to the coolant inlet 9b of the second ECU 5b to distribute the coolant from the main inlet 12 to the second ECU 5b. Furthermore, the hydraulic manifold 11 comprises a first ECU inlet 16, which is connected to the coolant outlet 10a of the first ECU 5a to distribute the coolant from the first ECU 5a to the main outlet 13. Furthermore, the hydraulic manifold 11 comprises a second ECU inlet 17, which is connected to the coolant outlet 10b of the second ECU 5b to distribute the coolant from the second ECU 5b to the main outlet 13.

[0051] The hydraulic manifold 11 may comprise respective hose pipes or tubes 18, 19, 20, 21 for connecting the ECU inlets 16, 17 and ECU outlets 14, 15 to the respective coolant inlets 9a, 9b and coolant outlets 10a, 10b, respectively.

[0052] 4, the hydraulic manifold 11 may, for example, include a solid body 22. An inlet chamber 23 and an outlet chamber 24 separate from the inlet chamber 23 are arranged in the solid body 22. The main inlet 12, the first ECU outlet 14, and the second ECU outlet 15 are connected to the inlet chamber 23, that is, arranged in the inlet chamber 23. The main outlet 13, the first ECU inlet 16, and the second ECU inlet 17 are connected to the outlet chamber 24, that is, arranged in the outlet chamber 24.

[0053] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first ECU 5a may comprise two housing parts 25a, 26a. When attached to each other, the housing parts 25a, 26a may form a housing for the ECU 5a. The housing parts 25a, 26a may form an enclosure that accommodates the first ECU 5a and the part or parts forming the cooling channel 8a and, if applicable, the further first circuit carrier 7a. For example, a cover 30 may be arranged between the first circuit carrier 6a and the cooling channel 8a and, if applicable, between the further first circuit carrier 7a and the first cooling channel 8a. The purpose of this is to improve the thermal conductivity between the first circuit carrier 6a, 7a and the cooling channel 8a or the coolant, respectively.

[0054] In the embodiment of Figures 2-7, the ECUs 5a, 5b may, for example, be slidably received within a main housing 29 which may be provided with respective receptacles for receiving the ECUs 5a, 5b.

[0055] Fig. 10 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system 3 according to the invention in a perspective view. Fig. 9 shows the electronic control system 3 of Fig. 10 in an exploded view. And Fig. 11 shows the electronic control system 3 of Fig. 10 in a cross-section along the section line AA. The electronic control system 3 of Fig. 10 comprises, for example, a main housing 29. Fig. 8 shows the electronic control system 3 in various views without the main housing 29.

[0056] The main housing 29 may house the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b and may be open on one side so that, for example, the ECUs 5a, 5b may be disposed within the main housing 29. Furthermore, the electronic control system 3 may optionally be provided with a cover 32. The cover 32 partially closes the open side of the main housing 29 while leaving open access openings for accessing the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b by means of electrical connectors (not shown).

[0057] In the embodiment of Fig. 8-11, the first ECU 5a may have four support elements 27a. For example, the support elements 27a are located at each corner of the housing of the first ECU 5a. The support elements 27a may have, for example, the shape of an elongated rectangular parallelepiped or a column extending along a stacking direction, which may for example be perpendicular to the plane of the circuit carriers 6a, 7a. Similarly, the second ECU 5b has a corresponding support element 27b. For example, the support element 27b is located at an edge of the second ECU 5b. The support elements 27a, 27b may be designed to match each other when the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b are stacked on each other along the stacking direction.

[0058] Each of the support elements 27a of the first ECU 5a may contact a corresponding support element 27b of the second ECU 5b. For example, the support elements 27a of the first ECU 5a may be fastened to the respective support elements 27b of the second ECU 5b by suitable fastening means, such as screws 28. For example, the support elements 27a, 27b may be hollow inside so that the screws 28 extend through the support elements 27a, 27b along the stacking direction to fasten the support elements 27a, 27b to each other.

[0059] The first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b are therefore rigidly connected to each other before being inserted into the main housing 29. The main housing 29 therefore does not necessarily have to comprise receptacles for separately fastening the ECUs 5a, 5b. In fact, the main housing 29 may be absent and still the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b are arranged in defined fixed positions relative to each other.

[0060] 11, in this embodiment, each of the ECUs 5a, 5b may have, for example, two circuit carriers 6a, 7a and 6b, 7b, respectively, but in other embodiments, each of the ECUs 5a, 5b may have only one circuit carrier 6a, 7b.

[0061] The first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b may for example be electrically connected to each other by a connection element 31. For example, the connection element 31 may be realized as a circuit board connector and may connect a first circuit carrier 6a, 7a of the first ECU 5a to a second circuit carrier 6b, 7b of the second ECU 5b. For example, if each of the ECUs 5a, 5b comprises two respective circuit carriers 6a, 7a, 6b, 7b, the two circuit carriers 7a, 6a facing each other in a stacked arrangement may face each other by means of the connection element 31. For example, a further connection element 31 may connect the two circuit carriers 6a, 7a of the first ECU 5a to each other and / or connect the two circuit carriers 6b, 7b of the second ECU 5b to each other.

[0062] Figure 14 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an electronic control system 3 according to the present invention. The electronic control system 3 may also have a main housing 29 as described and shown in Figure 14. Figure 13 shows an exploded view of the electronic control system 3 of Figure 14, and Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view along section line AA of Figure 14. Figure 12 shows various views of the electronic control system 3 of Figures 13-15, without the main housing 29.

[0063] Besides the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b, the electronic control system 3 of Figures 11 to 15 comprises a third ECU 5c and a fourth ECU 5d. All four ECUs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d may be stacked on one another, for example, along the stacking direction described for the embodiment of Figures 8 to 11. In particular, the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d may also comprise respective support elements 27c and 27b, respectively.

[0064] In the example of Figure 15, the first ECU 5a and the second ECU 5b are provided with a first circuit carrier 6a and a second circuit carrier 6b respectively, but not with a further first circuit carrier 7a and a further second circuit carrier 7b respectively. Similarly, the third ECU 5c is provided with a third circuit carrier 6c, and the fourth ECU 5d is provided with a fourth circuit carrier 6d. The explanations given for the first cooling channel 8a and the second cooling channel 8b apply equally to the third cooling channel 8c and the fourth cooling channel 8d.

[0065] Further, each of the third and fourth cooling channels 8c and 8d is provided with a respective coolant inlet and a respective coolant outlet (not shown). The hydraulic manifold 11 may include a third ECU outlet, a fourth ECU outlet, a third ECU inlet, and a fourth ECU inlet. The third ECU outlet is connected to the coolant inlet of the third ECU, for example via a respective hose, and the fourth ECU outlet is connected to the coolant inlet of the fourth ECU, for example by a respective hose. In this way, the coolant may be distributed from the main inlet to the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d as well.

[0066] Additionally, the third ECU inlet may connect to the coolant outlet of the third ECU, and the fourth ECU inlet may connect to the coolant outlet of the fourth ECU 5d. In this manner, coolant may also be distributed from the third ECU 5c and the fourth ECU 5d to the main outlet 13. As discussed above, particularly with reference to the drawings, the present invention may reduce the overall assembly space of a liquid-cooled control system for a vehicle having two or more liquid-cooled ECUs.

Claims

1. An electronic control system (3) for a vehicle (1), comprising: said control system (3) comprising a first electronic control unit (1 ECU (5a)) with at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) and a first cooling channel (8a) for a liquid coolant, said first cooling channel (8a) being arranged to cool said at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a), said control system (3) comprising a second ECU (5b) with at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b) and a second cooling channel (8b) for said liquid coolant, said second cooling channel (8b) being arranged to cool said at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b); each of said first cooling channel (8a) and said second cooling channel (8b) comprises a respective coolant inlet (9a, 9b) and a respective coolant outlet (10a, 10b); The control system (3) includes a hydraulic manifold (11) with a main inlet (12) and a main outlet (13); the hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a first ECU outlet (14) connected to the coolant inlet (9a) of the first ECU (5a) to distribute the coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first ECU (5a), and a second ECU outlet (15) connected to the coolant inlet (9b) of the second ECU (5b) to distribute the coolant from the main inlet (12) to the second ECU (5b); the hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a first ECU inlet (16) connected to the coolant outlet (10a) of the first ECU (5a) to distribute the coolant from the first ECU (5a) to the main outlet (13), and a second ECU inlet (17) connected to the coolant outlet (10b) of the second ECU (5b) to distribute the coolant from the second ECU (5b) to the main outlet (13), An electronic control system (3).

2. the first ECU (5a) comprises a first housing (25a, 26a), at least one of the first circuit carriers (6a, 7a) is arranged within the first housing (25a, 26a), and the first cooling channel (8a) is at least partially arranged within the first housing (25a, 26a); the second ECU (5b) comprises a second housing (25b, 26b), at least one of the second circuit carriers (6b, 7b) is disposed within the second housing (25b, 26b), and the second cooling channel (8b) is at least partially disposed within the second housing (25b, 26b); The first housing (25a, 26a) and the second housing (25b, 26b) are stacked on each other.

2. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in claim 1.

3. the first ECU (5a) includes at least two first support elements (27a), the first support elements (27a) being attached to the outer sides of the first housings (25a, 26a) and extending along a stacking direction of the first housings (25a, 26a) and the second housings (25b, 26b); the second ECU (5b) includes at least two second support elements (27b), the second support elements (27b) being attached to the outside of the second housing (25b, 26b) and extending along the stacking direction; Each of the at least two first support elements (27a) is fastened to a corresponding one of the at least two second support elements (27b), 3. An electronic control system (3) as claimed in claim 2.

4. each of the at least two first support elements (27a) is fastened to the corresponding one of the at least two second support elements (27b) by at least one screw (28), threaded rod or bolt extending through each of the first support element (27a) and the second support element (27b) along the stacking direction; 4. Electronic control system (3) according to claim 3.

5. The electronic control system (3) comprises a main housing (29); The first ECU (5a) and the second ECU (5b) are fastened in their respective receptacles within the main housing (29).

3. An electronic control system (3) according to claim 1 or 2.

6. said at least one first circuit carrier (6a, 7a) comprises two first circuit carriers (6a, 7a) arranged on either side of said first cooling channel (8a); and / or said at least one second circuit carrier (6b, 7b) comprises two second circuit carriers (6b, 7b) arranged on either side of said second cooling channel (8b); An electronic control system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. the electronic control system (3) comprises at least one connector element (31) electrically connecting at least one of the first circuit carriers (6a, 7a) to at least one of the second circuit carriers (6b, 7b); An electronic control system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises a solid body (22); the hydraulic manifold (11) comprises an inlet chamber (23) within the solid body (22), the main inlet (12), the first ECU outlet (14) and the second ECU outlet (15) connecting to the inlet chamber (23); and / or The hydraulic manifold (11) comprises an outlet chamber (24) within the solid body (22), and the main outlet (13), the first ECU inlet (16), and the second ECU inlet (17) connect to the outlet chamber (24). An electronic control system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

9. the hydraulic manifold (11) comprises regulating means arranged to regulate the flow rate of the liquid coolant from the main inlet (12) to the first ECU outlet (14) and / or the flow rate of the liquid coolant from the main inlet (12) to the second ECU outlet (15) and / or the flow rate of the liquid coolant from the first ECU inlet (16) to the main outlet (13) and / or the flow rate of the liquid coolant from the second ECU inlet (17) to the main outlet (13), An electronic control system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. An electronic vehicle guidance system (2) for a vehicle (1) comprising an electronic control system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first ECU (5a) and / or the second ECU (5b) are configured to receive sensor data from at least one sensor system (4) of the vehicle (1) and to generate at least one control signal for performing lateral and / or longitudinal control of the vehicle (1) and / or to generate at least one further control signal for providing notifications or warnings to a driver of the vehicle (1).

11. A vehicle (1) comprising an electronic control system (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 or an electronic vehicle guidance system (2) according to claim 10.

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